Article
Low-dose IL-2 therapy in refractory SLE: early insights from a phase I/IIa clinical trial
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | September 1, 2015 |
---|
Outline
Text
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is crucial for the growth and survival of regulatory T cells (Treg), and thus for the control of autoimmunity. In previous studies we have proven the significance of an acquired IL-2 deficiency and related Treg defects in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Accordingly, we showed that compensation of IL-2 deficiency by IL-2 therapy corrects associated Treg defects and ameliorates already established disease in lupus-prone mice [1]. Proceeding to a clinical translation, we recently reported a rapid and robust reduction of disease activity in parallel to a remarkable expansion of the Treg population by low-dose IL-2 therapy in one patient with refractory SLE [2]. Together, these studies provided the rationales for the clinical implementation an IL-2-based immunotherapy for the treatment of SLE with the aim to restore Treg activity and thus to re-establish endogenous mechanisms of immune tolerance.
Here, first promising results from the ongoing phase I/IIa clinical trial (PRO-IMMUN) addressing the safety, tolerability, immunological responses and clinical efficacy of a subcutaneous low-dose IL-2 therapy in patients with refractory SLE will be presented.
References
- 1.
- Humrich JY, Morbach H, Undeutsch R, Enghard P, Rosenberger S, Weigert O, Kloke L, Heimann J, Gaber T, Brandenburg S, Scheffold A, Huehn J, Radbruch A, Burmester GR, Riemekasten G. Homeostatic imbalance of regulatory and effector T cells due to IL-2 deprivation amplifies murine lupus. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010;107(1):204-9. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0903158107
- 2.
- Humrich JY, von Spee-Mayer C, Siegert E, Alexander T1, Hiepe F, Radbruch A, Burmester GR, Riemekasten G. Rapid induction of clinical remission by low-dose interleukin-2 in a patient with refractory SLE. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Apr;74(4):791-2. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206506